New York Feb 25–March 2: Orchidelirium, Dinner at the Movies & Feminist Zinefest

It is undoubtedly still winter in the Northeast, but spring is beginning to show its sunny head. Celebrate with a trip to the Orchid Show, which opens this week at the New York Botanical Garden. If the underground art and zine scene is more your speed, then be sure to stop by the Feminist Zinefest uptown. Or, for a great date night, make a reservation for dinner and a movie at Tom Collichio’s Riverpark.

February 24–27 | BalletPacific Northwest BalletCatch the elite Seattle-based Pacific Northwest Ballet as they grace the New York stage with four nights of performances. The first two evenings will highlight three works by esteemed choreographer George Balanchine (often called the “father of American ballet”): Square Dance, Prodigal Son, and Stravinsky Violin Concerto. The final two performances will highlight the works of contemporary choreographers David Dawson, William Forsythe, and Crystal Pite. All performances will be accompanied by the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, a group of musicians who are worth hearing even without dancers to accompany them.Times vary | New York City Center, 131 W. 55th St., New York | (212) 581-1212 | From $35 | website

February 27–April 17 | Orchids on displayThe Orchid Show Each year New Yorkers get their first whiff of sweet, sweet springtime when the Orchid Show opens at the New York Botanical Garden, which happens this week. For the fourteenth year running, the annual display will feature stunning orchids from around the world in a multitude of dazzling colors. This year’s edition focuses on the nineteenth century’s “orchidelirium,” when avid orchid hunters around the world risked their lives to collect these flowers from dangerous jungles. The show will tell visitors stories of these intrepid adventurers, who would go to great lengths in order to secure the rarest, often illegally procured, varieties of the alluring flower.Times vary | 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx | From $18 | website

February 27–28 | Escape the cityWashington, D.C.Take a relaxing train ride down to our nation’s capital to experience history, great art, culture, and some stellar food. There is so much to do it’s impossible to pack it all in a weekend, so instead, pick a few things and take your time. The Smithsonian Museums, which are free, offer an experience for every interest, from the National Air and Space Museum to the National Museum of American History (which includes cultural artifacts like Julia Child’s kitchen and Archie Bunker’s armchair from the show All in the Family). Stay at the iconic Four Season Washington, D.C., which sits on Pennsylvania Avenue, a little over a mile down the street from the White House.

February 28 | Zine festivalFeminist ZinefestDigital age be damned, zines are having a moment. Check out the edgy, funny, serious, and everything in between at this year’s Feminist Zinefest, which seeks to highlight the work of feminist artists and zinesters. Dozens of artists will be represented at the festival, now in its fifth year. There will be zine readings, workshops on how to start your own small publishing house, and beautiful original zines for purchase.12–6 p.m. | Barnard College, Barnard Hall, James Room, 3009 Broadway | Free | website

February 28 | Dinner and a movieSunday Night CinemaCelebrity chef Tom Colicchio has started a fun new series at his East River–adjacent restaurant, Riverpark: Sunday Night Cinema pairs a movie screening with a menu inspired by the film. This week catch the 1990 romantic drama Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Whoopie Goldberg. Executive Chef Bryan Hunt will be cooking up a three-course “Unchained Melody Menu” to accompany the flick. Expect a lovely succession of arctic char crudo, Peking duck breast, and white chocolate namelaka with mandarin “caviar.” The $60 price tag buys you dinner, movie, one drink, and even includes gratuity.6 p.m. | Riverpark, 450 E. 29th St., New York | (212) 729-9790| website

A native New Yorker, Katherine is a freelance food and travel writer who has eaten her way across the globe and is always on the lookout for her next great meal. She is an avid reader, insatiable traveler, sometimes photographer, and mom to an inquisitive toddler.